Long Yi was shaken by what had happened just moments ago. She stood motionless, her eyes fixed on the needle in her hand, its glow radiating with a brilliance so pure it seemed to outshine the moonlight above. She whispered softly, almost in disbelief, "Such a pure and powerful light energy this needle has." Her chest tightened as she recalled the overwhelming presence she had just experienced. That Light Dragon was so powerful and so strangely familiar. Its pressure nearly crushed me—I could hardly even breathe.
Her mind replayed the vision again. When I asked her who she was… she smiled, calm and serene, and showed me the projection of a woman. That woman resembled Lan Zhen's mother, Lan Xin. Her aura was undeniable, as though she carried a divine lineage. She told me to protect Zhen and said that we would meet soon… and the most startling thing of all—she knew my name.
Her brows furrowed tightly, and her lips pressed into a line. Snapping back into reality, she muttered under her breath, "I think I need to go to the Blacksmith Hall." With a sudden surge of dark reddish air, she vanished into the night.
In the Blacksmith Hall, the sound of a hammer echoed faintly in the distance, though most of the hall was quiet at this hour. Ling Hao sat at his desk, hunched over a strange metal ore that shimmered faintly with a pale-green tint. He traced the patterns on its surface with his fingers, his mind absorbed in thought. Suddenly, he stiffened. The air in the room shifted ever so slightly, carrying with it a presence he could not ignore.
Slowly, he turned his head, eyes narrowing toward the shadows. Though the space appeared empty, he knew better. "I know someone is here," he said firmly. "Please, show your identity."
A cold female voice echoed through the stillness. "Hmph, as expected from a Holy Spirit bonded with the Wind Dragon. Your senses are sharp."
Without warning, the hall was filled with a powerful, dark reddish air that swirled violently like a storm. The sheer pressure pressed down on the walls, rattling the tools and shelves nearby. Ling Hao's heart skipped a beat as his face paled. "This… this air manipulation strength… only a Holy Lord or higher can do this!"
From within the swirling tempest, a figure stepped forward. The oppressive aura dissipated instantly as Long Yi revealed herself, her crimson eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light. Ling Hao immediately recognized her and hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Holy Lord Long Yi."
Long Yi's lips curled slightly. "You were able to sense me the moment I entered. Hmph. As expected from one with the Wind Dragon bond."
Ling Hao lowered his head respectfully, though curiosity burned in his gaze. "Holy Lord Long Yi, may I ask why you have come here at this hour?"
Long Yi reached into her robes and slowly revealed the glowing needle. Its light shimmered with a warmth that contrasted sharply against her own dark aura. "Do you remember this?"
Ling Hao's eyes widened, his composure faltering for the first time. "This is… isn't this the needle Zhen forged with his own hands?" He paused, then glanced up at her hesitantly. "Forgive my boldness, but… what is your relationship with Lan Zhen?"
Without hesitation, Long Yi replied with a calm but firm voice. "He is my disciple."
Ling Hao froze in place. The little boy he had spoken to so casually every day in the Blacksmith Hall… was a disciple of a Holy Lord? A Holy Lord with a pure Dark Dragon bond at that! His thoughts spiraled rapidly. Lan Zhen himself has a Dark Dragon bond… it makes sense now. No wonder he caught her eye. No wonder he shows such abnormal talent.
Long Yi's voice snapped him back. "How did this needle come to have such pure light energy?"
Ling Hao carefully took the needle from her hands, his expression serious. He studied it for several long seconds before answering, "That day, when Zhen forged this needle, I was stunned by the powerful light energy it carried. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Since then, I have been researching tirelessly to understand it. And I believe I finally discovered the truth."
Long Yi's eyes sharpened, her aura intensifying slightly. "Tell me. What did you find out?"
Ling Hao drew in a slow breath. "A forged tool always inherits the attribute energy from the one who forges it. That is an unbreakable law of our craft."
Long Yi's hands trembled slightly as her mind leapt ahead. "You mean…?"
Ling Hao nodded firmly. "Yes. The light energy within this needle could only have come from Zhen himself."
The words struck Long Yi like thunder. Her thoughts raced uncontrollably. Zhen already possesses a pure Dark Dragon bond… but could it be… could he also carry the bond of a Pure Light Dragon? Two dragon bonds, opposites in nature, existing within one child? The idea was nearly impossible. Yet the evidence was right in front of her.
Clutching the needle tightly, she forced herself to remain composed. "Tomorrow, allow Zhen to return to the Blacksmith Hall. But today, tell him not to come. I will handle matters from here."
Ling Hao bowed deeply. "Understood, Holy Lord."
Long Yi vanished once more in a swirl of dark air, leaving Ling Hao alone in the quiet hall. He stared at the faintly glowing needle and whispered to himself, "Lan Zhen… just who are you truly?"
The night grew darker, the stars gleaming faintly above the training field. Zhen and his friends arrived together, their youthful faces lit with determination. Long Yi was already standing at the center, her posture regal and commanding. Her gaze swept across them. "First, two rounds. Begin."
The six children dashed forward without hesitation. Their footsteps echoed in unison as they circled the wide field. The cool night air bit at their skin, but their determination kept them moving. By the time they finished, sweat glistened on their brows and their chests heaved, but none of them faltered.
When they stopped, Long Yi's voice rang clear and sharp. "Lan Zhen. Gu Naer. Step forward."
Zhen and Naer glanced at each other in surprise, then obeyed. They stood before her, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The others—Shi Feng, Lei Wei, Xueer, and Xiatao—watched from the side, whispering among themselves.
Shi Feng leaned toward the others. "Do you think Holy Lord will make them fight each other?"
But Long Yi's next words stunned them all. "Zhen and Naer, the two of you will team up… and fight against Shi Feng, Lei Wei, Bing Xueer, and Yu Xiatao together."
The group froze in shock. Zhen blinked in disbelief, while Naer's eyes widened. Both could hardly believe what they had heard.
Lei Wei immediately protested, "Miss Holy Lord, that will be far too difficult. Zhen and Naer against all four of us? It's unfair."
Xueer added quickly, "That's right! We four are all Rank 15. Zhen is only Rank 14, and Naer is Rank 12. How could they possibly stand against us together?"
But Long Yi's face remained as unreadable as stone. "Form your groups as I have ordered." Her voice was firm, carrying no room for argument. "This trial will benefit both sides. You will not understand now, but in time you will see."
Her words silenced further protest. The air grew heavy with tension, the faint wind rustling through the field as the two sides faced one another. Their hearts raced, not only from the run but also from the weight of the challenge before them.
Another training battle was about to begin, and none of them knew how much it would shape their future.